SW "wraps" the model and basemap after saving. So the Drawings no longer depend on the template or the basemaps present on the workstation. Changes made to the initial models or basemaps do not retroactively affect the work done on them.
I regularly retrieve a model or basemap from a drawing.
For the template, simply delete all drawing views and save as Templates (drwdot).
For basemaps, directly save by File/Save basemap.
For the color "blue", I don't know, I've never seen that.
Totally agree with Aliende for the templates and backgrounds, for the color check in system option / Colors / Drawings, paper color if you don't have a weird color, this one is not embedded with the background plan but is a system color.